The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking to procure maintenance services for the CryoArc line of automated freezers, which are critical for their Biosystems and Biomaterials Division's operations. The maintenance service is essential to ensure the continuous and reliable operation of these freezers, which store vital biological materials for research and standard reference material production. NIST intends to negotiate a sole source contract with Azenta Life Sciences, Inc., as they are the only qualified provider capable of servicing this specialized equipment due to its technical complexity and proprietary requirements. Interested parties may submit responses by June 13, 2025, to Erik Frycklund at erik.frycklund@nist.gov, with the contract's NAICS code being 811210 and a small business size standard of $34 million.

FBO ANNOUNCEMENT: PRESOLICITATION NOTICE, NOTICE OF INTENT

ACTION CODE: SPECIAL NOTICE

SUBJECT: Sole source – CryoArc line of automated freezers maintenance service.

SOLICITATION NUMBER: NB644020-25-01689

RESPONSE DATE: 6/19/25

DESCRIPTION:

The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) Biosystems and Biomaterials Division (BBD) utilizes an automated cryogenic storage system to support its mission in standard reference material production and regenerative medicine research. The system stores critical biological materials including pancreatic tumor and non-cancer cell lines (for the Genome in a Bottle Consortium) and CD19 CAR Jurkat cell lines (for the Regenerative Medicine Program). A service contract is required to ensure continuous, reliable operation and to maintain the instrument’s warranty.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Azenta Life Sciences, Inc located in Burlington, MA for maintenance of this equipment.

Sole Source justification is based on the following:

Azenta Life Sciences has provided documentation stating that their service group is currently the only organization qualified and authorized to provide service and maintenance for the CryoArc line of automated freezers.   This equipment requires specialized knowledge, proprietary tools, and training that is not currently available to any other service providers. Due to the technical complexity and unique specifications of the CryoArc product family, any attempt at servicing by unauthorized personnel could result in equipment damage, operational downtime, and voiding of the warranty.

NAICS code for this requirement will be 811210– Other Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance with a small business size of $34.0M.

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, interested parties who regard themselves as capable of fulfilling these requirements are invited to submit responses to the Government for consideration. Responses received by 1:00AM EST on 6/13/25 will be considered by the Government.

A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Inquiry POCs

Erik.Fycklund@nist.gov  Primary

Donald.Graham@nist.gov  Secondary

National Institutes of Standards and Technologies NIST Acquisition Management Division (AMD)

100 Bureau Dr. Mail Stop 1640

Gaithersburg, MD. 20899-1640

Buyer

NAICS

PSC

Original Source